Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 May 2016
There are now many observations of high velocity, molecular emission associated with outflows from young stars. This emission might come from molecules that are formed in the outflowing material, or from entrained, ambient molecular gas. The present paper explores the latter possibility, describing the efforts that have been made to model the “lateral entrainment” that occurs in the turbulent mixing layer formed along the edges of a jet-like flow (or, equivalently, at any interface between a fast moving flow and the surrounding environment). A simple, analytic approach based on model equations is used to provide a qualitative picture of the dynamical, thermal and chemical structure of such a turbulent mixing layer. Finally, a review of the efforts up to date of modelling the dynamics and chemistry of turbulent mixing layers is presented.